OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

---

Funded by SAMHSA under the Strategic Prevention Framework - Partnerships for Success (SPF-PFS) Program, and in partnership with Circles of Peace in Nogales, Mariposa Community Health Center in Nogales, and Campesinos Sin Fronteras in Yuma, this five year grant is a foundational investment in substance use prevention in Southern Arizona.

SPF-PFS focuses on: preventing substance use initiation and reducing the progression of substance use (and related problems)  by supporting the development and implementation of comprehensive, evidence-based prevention strategies while also strengthening prevention capacity and infrastructure at the community and state levels.

SPF-PFS supports: a comprehensive prevention strategy, addressing locally identified priorities, using a data-driven process, enhancing protective factors, reducing risk factors, and building capacity to implement prevention strategies.

Funded by the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona, this project was established to sustain, improve, and expand communication to maximize efforts and minimize duplication. By linking formal and informal resources, we aim to enhance the services provided by agencies and volunteers while reaching out to those in need throughout the Douglas area.  Year two of this grant will expand the program county wide.

Funded by the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, this program is focused on creating a farm to table and workforce development program at the

House of Hope Woman's Shelter in Douglas, AZ. Through this program, staff provide workforce training on growing native fruits/vegetables/herbs and utilize them for daily cooking as well as how to sell what they grow at local farmer markets and events. Staff also provide community cooking classes and business development training so community members can start their own small business to sell local produce.  This program also includes a farm to school program where youth are taught how to grow and utilize fresh produce and learn about healthy food choices.

Funded by MATFORCE, the Arizona Border Alliance has four SACLAZ grants focused on drug prevention in Cochise County and Pima County.

SACLAz brings together over 30 substance use prevention coalitions in Arizona providing support and resources to coalitions to help educate their communities on current drug trends including fentanyl and vaping through the SACLAz toolkit and the TalkNowAZ and LearnMoreAZ education and awareness campaigns.

Funded by the Cochise County Health Department, the ABA is providing the Safety First Curriculum to youth throughout Cochise County.  Safety First is made up of 13 lessons on alcohol, opioids/fentanyl, psychedelics, and other drugs. The purpose of the curriculums is to encourage youth to abstain from use, but this curriculum also includes a clear harm-reduction message for youth who are experimenting or using, to provide high school students with scientifically accurate information to empower them to quit and/or reduce harm, should they choose to continue to use. 

Funded by the City of Douglas, this program provides: 

1-  Monthly Workforce Development Workshops: Once a month the Arizona Border Alliance hosts a workshop that focuses on a different trade to help residents learn life skills and improve their quality of life with the opportunities of a skilled trade.  Cooking classes, health services, art classes, hair stylists, small businesses, law enforcement/ Fire/EMT, teaching, farming, music, and other guest speakers.  A youth mentorship program was developed to match these guest speakers with youth that are interested in learning more about a specific career field.

2-  Bi-annual Health and Wellness Fair: Twice a year, the Arizona Border Alliance hosts a health fair focused on health and wellness for the Douglas Community, featuring local health providers, fitness demonstrations, healthy cooking demonstrations, and nutrition workshops.  

3-  Substance Use Prevention and Trauma Informed Care: The Arizona Border Alliance trains community members on how to use Narcan/Naloxone to prevent an opioid overdose.  Staff also distribute Narcan for free to anyone that takes the class or community members that need Narcan.  Staff also provide Trauma Informed Care trainings quarterly for community members so they better understand generational trauma and other forms of trauma that have impacted their lives and how to handle it.

Funded by the Copper Queen Community Hospital , this program addresses the need of resource coordination in Douglas, Bisbee, Tombstone, Hereford, Palominas, and other towns throughout Cochise County.

Partners: Douglas Police Department, Cochise College, City of Douglas, St Vincent De Paul, Catholic Community Services (CCS)- House of Hope, Mexican Consulate, Blueberry Cafe.

Funded by Contexture, Arizona’s health information exchange (HIE), which teamed up with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) — and in collaboration with 2-1-1 Arizona and Solari Crisis & Human Services — to implement a single, statewide referral system (CommunityCares) to address social determinants of health (SDOH) needs in Arizona.

The Arizona Border Alliance provides referrals to other agencies as well as receives referrals for the services we offer.

The Arizona Border Alliance offers community training on the use of Narcan to all populations, available in both English and Spanish. The demand for continued education in our community remains vital in the fight against opioids. We believe that by increasing education and awareness about opioids and the proper use of Narcan, many lives can be saved. The training is delivered in a culturally appropriate manner, ensuring that trust and connection are emphasized. Training sessions are provided at various community gatherings, fairs, meetings, and celebrations, among others. Book your training today!

If you need Naloxone/Narcan, send us an email at info@arizonaborderalliance.org or call us at 520-288-2669.

Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is a holistic approach to healthcare and human services that acknowledges the pervasive impact of trauma and aims to create safe and supportive environments for survivors. A trauma-informed approach recognizes that healthcare organizations and care teams must have a comprehensive understanding of a patient's life circumstances—both past and present—to deliver effective services with a healing focus.  Additionally, it can help reduce unnecessary care and excess costs in both the healthcare and social service sectorsTrauma-informed care seeks to

• Recognize the widespread impact of trauma and understand pathways to recovery.
• Identify the signs and symptoms of trauma in patients, families, and staff.
• Integrate trauma knowledge into policies, procedures, and practices.
• Actively prevent re-traumatization.

In today's rapidly changing world, with numerous global events, TIC is essential for understanding humanity and fostering comprehensive interactions with one another.

Thrive is a comprehensive resilience and mental health program aimed at preventing substance use among youth in school settings. It focuses on equipping students with the skills to manage stress, build self-esteem, and develop healthy relationships. By implementing evidence-based practices, Thrive fosters a supportive environment that encourages open discussions about mental health and substance use. In Douglas, Arizona, this program can significantly impact the community by providing students with essential tools to cope with challenges, thereby reducing the risk of substance abuse.

By supporting and collaborating with workforce development and job placement initiatives in our area of service, the community can truly benefit from economic growth, reduced unemployment, and ultimately foster community resilience. This resilience promotes self-sufficiency and stability among residents. When individuals are employed, they are more likely to contribute positively to their community, leading to improved social cohesion and decreased reliance on social services. We firmly believe that there is a more sustainable and prosperous future for our border residents.

In partnership with the Mendez Foundation,  Arizona Border Alliance staff provide the Seeds of Nutrition program to youth in southern Arizona schools in English and Spanish.

Seeds of Nutrition is a skills-based nutrition education curriculum designed to promote a priority for health within the adolescent.  The students learn the roles of nutrients, hydration, exercise, and rest in promoting physical and mental well-being.  Students exposed to this information will be more likely to adopt standards and norms consistent with a healthy lifestyle.

Seeds of Nutrition promotes a commitment to health and taking care of the body through the development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes children and teens need to make healthy decisions consistent with their healthy goals.

In partnership with the Mendez Foundation,  Arizona Border Alliance staff provide the Too Good for Drugs program to youth in southern Arizona schools in English and Spanish.

Skills development is at the core of Too Good for Drugs, a universal K-12 prevention education program designed to mitigate the risk factors and enhance protective factors related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) use. The lessons introduce and develop skills for making healthy choices, building positive friendships, developing self-efficacy, communicating effectively, and resisting peer pressure and influence.

Too Good for Drugs teaches five essential character development skills to build self-efficacy, promote healthy development, and academic success:

• Setting Reachable Goals
• Making Responsible Decisions
• Bonding with Pro-Social Others
• Identifying and Managing Emotions
• Communicating Effectively

In partnership with the Mendez Foundation,  Arizona Border Alliance staff provide the Too Good for Violence program to youth in southern Arizona schools in English and Spanish.

Character Education and Asset Development are at the core of TGFV-A Peaceable Place and TGFV-Social Perspectives to provide students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes they need for positive social development and supportive relationships.

The readiness and ability to socialize, connect, and cooperate with others is essential for positive peer bonding, healthy relationship building, and advocacy for one’s needs. The interpersonal skills built into the course include these primary skill constructs:

• Identifying and Managing Emotions
• Effective Communication
• Pro-social Peer Bonding

Together they promote Self-Awareness and Social Awareness within the student.

The Arizona Border Alliance currently has three separate coalitions: The ABA Douglas Coalition, the the ABA Bisbee/Naco Coalition, and the ABA Pima County Coalition.  ABA Coalitions for Santa Cruz and Yuma Counties are currently in the planning stage.

The ABA Coalitions utilize SAMHSA's Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) and has members from all 12 sectors: Youth, Parents, Business, Media, Schools, Youth-serving Organizations, Law Enforcement, Faith-based organizations, Civic or Volunteer groups, Healthcare professionals, State or Local agencies, and Substance Abuse Agencies.  Members meet once a month in person, and a virtual option is also available.

If you are interested in joining an ABA Coalition and making a difference in your community, send us an email!

La comunicación y la colaboración son esenciales para fomentar una comunidad saludable. La Oficina de Salud Pública Fronteriza trabaja para mejorar la comunicación y reunir a los aliados para alcanzar los objetivos. Estos grupos promueven la colaboración entre los funcionarios de salud de ambos lados de la frontera. Con el paso del tiempo, su enfoque ha evolucionado para abordar diversas cuestiones de salud. Las primeras asociaciones oficiales de salud entre Estados Unidos y México se formaron a principios de la década de 1940. Los primeros Consejos Binacionales de Salud, conocidos en español como COBINAS (Consejos Binacionales de Salud), se establecieron en 1965. Hasta el día de hoy, la Arizona Border Alliance es y seguirá siendo miembro del Consejo Binacional de Salud con el fin de proporcionar servicios binacionales que beneficien a ambas comunidades.

The Arizona Border Alliance strongly believes in higher education and provides free support to youth that need assistance applying to college and applying for student aid through FAFSA and other programs.

The ABA also provides a financial scholarship to one high school senior each year.  Sign up for our newsletter/blog updates to be notified when applications open.

Arizona is facing a significant housing crisis characterized by a severe shortage of affordable housing, escalating home prices, and rising eviction rates.  Addressing Arizona's housing crisis requires comprehensive policy reforms, including increasing the supply of affordable housing, revising zoning laws to facilitate development, and implementing tenant protections to ensure housing stability for all residents.

The Arizona Border Alliance is currently convening town halls throughout Pima, Cochise, Santa Cruz, and Yuma counties to begin addressing the housing crisis and helping those in need of support.

Staff at the Arizona Border Alliance are bi-lingual and have years of experience providing translation services in Spanish and English.  We provide translation services on an hourly or flat rate per project.

The Arizona Border Alliance serves as a fiscal agent to other agencies, non-profits, businesses, and private individuals that need fiscal support. By serving as a fiscal agent, we seek to increase funding opportunities for other projects and programs, strengthen partnerships, and increase capacity building of smaller organizations by enabling them to grow and improve their services. Ultimately it benefits the community by ensuring more comprehensive and diverse services are available.